Supporting clients to make positive changes in health behaviours using the transtheoretical model and motivational interviewing

The Making Every Contact Count (MECC) framework seeks to use the daily contacts between healthcare staff and the public as opportunities to promote positive changes in people’s health. MECC focuses on four domains – healthy eating, physical activity, reducing alcohol consumption and smoking cessation – which can be challenging topics for mental health nurses to raise and discuss with clients. People with mental health issues are at increased risk of various physical health issues, therefore positive behaviour change interventions are an important part of mental health nursing practice. This article provides an overview of the transtheoretical model (stages of change) and motivational interviewing, explaining how nurses can use these in tandem to support clients to make positive changes in health behaviours.